System for and method of providing overview of a worksheet in an electronic report

ABSTRACT

A worksheet overview system comprises an item information handler, an overview element handler, an overview area handler, and an overview synchronizer. The item information handler obtains item information relating to items of a worksheet. The overview element handler manages overview elements based on the item information. Each overview element represents item information of a corresponding item of the worksheet. The overview area handler provides an overview area for containing the overview elements to make the overview elements contained in the overview area accessible by a user. The overview synchronizer synchronizes between each overview element in the overview area and its corresponding item of the worksheet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Applciation SerialNo. 2,519,003 filed on Sep. 13, 2005.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments relate to a system for and method of providingan overview of a worksheet in an electronic report.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the Business Intelligence (BI) analysis domain, various data ispresented to users in a form of a worksheet, such as a dimensional crosstabulation (crosstab) or a chart. Business analysts needs to be able tomanipulate a dimensional crosstab and chart in a variety of ways. Nextto seeing the actual values in the crosstab or chart, it is importantfor the analysts to get feedback on what filter criteria are applied tothe displayed data. It is desirable for analysts to be able to get afast overview of the data shown in a worksheet.

Individual filters applied to a dimensional crosstab consist in mostcases of one single dimension category, which is called a “member” inMulti Dimensional Expression (MDX). For example, a crosstab can consistof products in the rows, years in the columns and revenue as measure.The values shown for the measure can be filtered using a single category(e.g. region “USA”), using an expression (e.g. where the product valuesfor 1996 is more than 500M) or of a list of selected categories (e.g. alist or order methods: E-mail, Telephone, Mail). The filtering of thevalues in the crosstab can also be based on a combination of all thesetypes of filters. For a user, it is desirable to easily view, create,update and delete these filter criteria.

In a dimensional crosstab, users can have multiple data sets on the rowsand/or columns. A data set is a collection of categories from onedimension. On an edge (axis), it is possible to have a combination ofmultiple data sets. The data sets on such an edge (axis) can come fromdifferent dimensions, but also from the same dimension. In the crosstabitself, it is often difficult to see what the structure of the data is.When the crosstab is large, users may have to scroll or navigate to seewhat is actually in the crosstab. It is desirable for users to easilysee what the crosstab structure is, and to be able to manipulate andnavigate the data in a small screen real estate solution.

Some existing BI tools have a user interface that provides a dimensionline or menu where all the dimensions available in the data source areshown. In this type of dimension line, every item is shown at thehighest level in the dimension. If a user wants to filter the values onan item (e.g., priority), the user selects the item “Priority” in thedimension line to open a Priority menu and selects a desired category inthe Priority menu. The selection of a category changes the values in thecrosstab. In the menu, the selected filter is shown highlighted or inbold. This type of menu provides limited options and it is not possiblefor the users to manipulate the filter criteria further. Showing alldimensions consumes screen real-estate, and it is confusing to the usersand makes it difficult to locate a desired dimension. The type of filterthat can be shown in the menu is also limited to a single categorywithin a dimension.

Another existing prior art shows the data structure near the rows forthe row dimensions and near the columns for the column dimensions, andthe overall filters in a separate container above or below the crosstab.This approach needs a relatively large screen real estate, and there isno coherence between these elements.

It is therefore desirable to provide a mechanism to provide informationof crosstab in an efficient manner using a relatively small real estate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide an improved system andmethod that obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages ofexisting systems.

One aspect of the invention uses an overview area that provides anoverview of a worksheet.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided aworksheet overview system comprising an item information handler, anoverview element handler, an overview area handler, and an overviewsynchronizer. The item information handler is provided for obtainingitem information relating to items of a worksheet. The overview elementhandler is provided for managing overview elements based on the iteminformation, each overview element representing item information of acorresponding item of the worksheet. The overview area handler isprovided for providing an overview area for containing the overviewelements to make the overview elements contained in the overview areaaccessible by a user. The overview synchronizer is provided forsynchronizing between each overview element in the overview area and itscorresponding item of the worksheet.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of providing an overview of a worksheet. The method comprisesobtaining item information relating to items of a worksheet; providingan overview area on a display; presenting one or more overview elementsin the overview area based on the item information, each overviewelement representing item information of a corresponding item of theworksheet; and synchronizing between each overview element in theoverview area and its corresponding item of the worksheet.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer readable medium storing instructions and/or statements for usein the execution in a computer of a method of providing an overview of aworksheet. The method comprises obtaining item information relating toitems of a worksheet; providing an overview area on a display;presenting one or more overview elements in the overview area based onthe item information, each overview element representing iteminformation of a corresponding item of the worksheet; and synchronizingbetween each overview element in the overview area and its correspondingitem of the worksheet.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided apropagated signal carrier containing computer executable instructionsand/or statements that can be read and executed by a computer, thecomputer executable instructions being used to execute a method ofproviding an overview of a worksheet. The method comprises obtainingitem information relating to items of a worksheet; providing an overviewarea on a display; presenting one or more overview elements in theoverview area based on the item information, each overview elementrepresenting item information of a corresponding item of the worksheet;and synchronizing between each overview element in the overview area andits corresponding item of the worksheet.

This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all featuresof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description in which reference is made to the appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a worksheet overview system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the worksheetoverview system;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an overview area provided bythe worksheet overview system;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an overview element;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of a combination menu;

FIG. 16C is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 16D is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another example of an overview area;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a properties pane manager;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a properties pane;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a part of the properties pane;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another part of the properties pane;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a part of the properties pane;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another part of the properties pane;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing another part of the properties pane;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a part of the properties pane;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing another part of the properties pane;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of sort options;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane;

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane; and

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing another example of a properties pane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a computer system 2 in which a worksheet overview system 20is suitably used. The computer system 2 has an input unit 4 and anoutput unit 6. The worksheet overview system 20 suitably works with orwithin a data analyzing system 10, such as a business intelligence tool,that provides views or reports of data stored in one or more datasources 8. The worksheet overview system 20 manages an overview of aworksheet in a report generated by the data analyzing system 10. FIG. 1exemplifies that the data analyzing system 10 is running on a singlecomputer system 2. In a different embodiment, the data analyzing system10 may be running on a computer unit that is part of a server-clientsystem or any other computer system.

The data analyzing system 10 has a user interface 12 to receive userinputs through the input unit 4, and presents generated reports andother information to users through the output unit 6. The data analyzingsystem 10 is capable of generating reports containing a worksheet, suchas a crosstab or a chart.

The worksheet overview system 20 typically works with or through theuser interface 12 of the data analyzing system 10. The worksheetoverview system 20 provides an overview area that presents an overviewof a worksheet. An overview of a worksheet is a summary description ofparts or items that constitute the current state of the worksheet. Theworksheet overview system 20 allows users to use the overview area tointeract with items of the worksheet and manipulate them, as furtherdescribed below.

The overview area is a container for containing overview elements oricons. An overview element represents a summary description orinformation of one or more items (data sets) of the worksheet.

As shown in FIG. 2, the worksheet overview system 20 has an iteminformation handler 30, an overview area handler 40, an overview elementhandler 50, and an overview synchronizer 60.

The item information handler 30 manages information of items of theworksheet. The item information handler 30 obtains information regardingthe items of the worksheet from the underlying data source or sources 8or a metadata model that the report generating system 10 uses togenerate reports for the data sources 8. The item information handler 30has a row information handler 32, a column information handler 34, and acontext information handler 36. When the worksheet overview system 20deals with a crosstab, the row information handler 32 obtainsinformation regarding one or more row data sets of the crosstab.Similarly, the column information handler 34 and the context informationhandler 36 obtain information regarding one or more column data sets andcontext of the crosstab, respectively. Context information includesfilter criteria and/or other conditions applied to the crosstab as awhole.

The overview area handler 40 provides an overview area. Items of theworksheet are typically grouped according to the structure of theworksheet. The overview area handler 40 divides an overview area intomultiple sections to correspond to the structural grouping of the itemsof the worksheet. For example, items of a crosstab are grouped by rows,columns and overall context. Thus, for a crosstab, the overview area hasa row information section, a column information section, and a contextinformation section.

The overview area handler 40 presents the overview area at a location onthe screen of the output unit 6 where the overview area is easily seenby the user when its associated worksheet is fully or partiallydisplayed. The overview area may be located above the worksheet belowthe toolbar on the screen.

The overview element handler 50 manages the presentation of overviewelements, or icons. Each overview element represents information of oneor more items of the worksheet. The overview element handler 50 uses theinformation obtained by the item information handler 30 to manage thepresentation of overview elements. Also, it changes the presentation ofoverview elements depending on user's actions on the overview elements.When the worksheet is a crosstab, the item information handler 30obtains information of row items, column items and context items of thecrosstab. The overview element handler 50 presents overview elementsrepresenting row items in the row information section based on theinformation obtained by the item information handler 30. Similarly, theoverview element handler 50 presents overview elements representingcolumn items in the column information section, and overview elementsrepresenting context items in the context information section.

The overview element handler 50 provides each overview element with anitem label indicating which item of the worksheet the overview elementrepresents. The overview element handler 50 may provide an overviewelement having a menu for indicating details of the item informationthat the overview element represents and/or available options relatingto the corresponding item or items of the worksheet. The overviewelement handler 50 allows the user to open and close the menu and selectone or more desired options from the menu to act on the correspondingitems in the worksheet, without actually accessing the items in theworksheet, as further described below.

The overview element handler 50 may provide a movable overview element,and allow the user to move the movable overview element betweendifferent sections in the overview area by using, e.g., a dragging anddropping action.

The overview element handler 50 allows users to manipulate overviewelements in the overview area, such as creating or inserting newoverview elements and modifying, interacting and deleting existingoverview elements.

The overview synchronizer 60 handles synchronization between overviewelements in the overview area and the corresponding items in theworksheet. When a worksheet is created, the overview synchronizer 60obtains information relevant to the items of the worksheet using theoverview element handler 50, and presents, in the overview area,overview elements representing the obtained item information using theoverview element handler 50.

When the worksheet is changed, the overview synchronizer 60 reflects thechanges to overview elements in the overview area through the overviewelement handler 50.

When the user changes overview elements in the overview area, theoverview synchronizer 60 reflects the changes to the corresponding itemsof the worksheet. The changes made to the worksheet also changes thedata in the overview area accordingly.

For example, when the user creates a new overview element in a rowinformation section, the overview synchronizer 60 causes the dataanalyzing system 10 to add to the crosstab a new row data set thatcorresponds to the new overview element in the overview area. When theuser deletes an overview element from a column information section inthe overview area, the overview synchronizer 60 causes the correspondingcolumn data set to be deleted from the crosstab. When the user selectsan option, e.g., drilling up or down a hierarchy of items or searchingan item, from the menu on an overview element in the overview area, theoverview synchronizer 60 causes the crosstab to reflect the selection toshow, e.g., drilled results or search results. When the user drags amovable overview element, e.g., from a row information section to acolumn information section, the overview synchronizer 60 causes thecrosstab to change the row data set represented by the overview elementinto a column data set.

By creating overview elements in the overview area, the user may createa new worksheet.

The overview synchronizer 60 determines what information is relevant tothe current status of the worksheet, and presents overview elements thatrepresent the information relevant to the current status of theworksheet. For example, the overview synchronizer 60 causes the overviewelement handler 50 to present, in the context information section,overview elements representing the filters that are applied to theunderlying worksheet, rather than showing a list of all filters whichmay or may not be applicable to the current status of the worksheet.

Thus, the worksheet overview system 20 presents in the overview arearepresentations of the items in the worksheet, which assist users tounderstand what items make up the worksheet. This is especiallyadvantageous when the worksheet is larger than the display area for theworksheet on the screen, and actual worksheet items represented by theoverview elements are out of the view and cannot be seen withoutscrolling.

The worksheet overview system 20 allows users to interact on structuralitems that make up the worksheet through interacting with the overviewelements in the overview area. As overview elements represent high-levelitems of the worksheet, the interaction (e.g. drill, search) withoverview elements, is often easier and more intuitive for users thansearching, selecting and acting on actual items or objects in theworksheet.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an overview area 100 presented by theoverview system 20 for a crosstab 120. In this example, the overviewarea 100 is presented just above the associated crosstab 120. Theoverview area 100 has a row information section 102, a columninformation section 104 and a context information section 106.

The row information section 102 is provided to contain one or moreoverview elements that represent information of one or more row datasets of the crosstab. The column information section 104 is provided tocontain one or more overview elements that represent information of oneor more column data sets of the crosstab. The context informationsection 106 is provided to contain one or more overview elements thatrepresent information of the context of the crosstab, e.g., informationof filters and other contextual conditions of the crosstab.

The overall area 100 is dimensioned compact enough so that it can bekept visual on the screen when the entire or a part of associatedcrosstab is displayed. The information sections 102, 104 and 106 may beresizable individually or as a whole. The overall area 100 may providemovable partitions 108 between the information sections 102,104 and 106.Each information section 102,104, 106 may become scrollable when thereare multiple overview elements in order to save the screen real estate.In this example, the information sections 102, 104 are 106 arranged inline to form a one-line overview area 100. In a different embodiment,the information sections 102, 104 and 106 may be arranged differently.

By using the overview area 100, the overall structure of the crosstab iscaptured in a single compact overview area, while providing separationof the information for the rows and columns from the contextinformation.

In this crosstab 120, the rows are provided for dimension “Line”containing Dishwashers, Stoves and Microwaves as categories. Line is theparent category. The columns are provided for dimension “Date”containing 1993 and 1994 as categories. Date is the parent category. Thevalues are shown for measure “Revenue”.

For this crosstab 120, the overview system 20 provides the overview area100 with two overview elements 110. One overview element 110 is labeled“Line” and presented in the row information section 102. The otheroverview element 110 is labeled “Date” and presented in the columninformation section 104. The context information section 106 is notfilled out as currently there are no filters applied to the data shownin the crosstab 120.

When the user wants to filter the data in the crosstab 120 for therevenue in New York only, the user inserts a location category “NY” as afilter in the context information section 106, as shown in FIG. 4.Typically, the data analyzing system 10 provides a list or tree ofcategories, dimensions and/or measures available to create reports forthe underlying data source or sources 8. The user may select Location“NY” from the list or tree, and drag and drop the NY item 112 into thecontext information section 106. In response to the insertion of thefilter, as shown in FIG. 5, the overview element handler 50 creates anew overview element 114 in the context information section 106. The newoverview element 114 is labeled “NY”. The values in the crosstab 120 arealso changed since the crosstab 120 now has a contextual filter “NY”applied to it.

The overview system 20 provides one or more menus through overviewelements 110 in the overall area 100. Menus present available options toact on items in the crosstab 120 from the overview area 100, without theneed to interact directly with the items in the crosstab 120. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, the user can select an arrow down button130 of the overview element 110 labeled “Line” in the row informationsection 102 of the overview area 100 to open a menu 132. The menu 132shows options available for the row items Line. By selecting a desiredoption, e.g., Microwaves, from the menu 132, the user is able to drilldown on Microwaves. The selected items and corresponding overviewelements become highlighted in the crosstab 120 and in the overview area100 in synchronization.

The dropdown menu 132 is typically used to present options for the mainfunctionality for the item represented by the overview element 110 inthe overview area 100, such as categories shown in the crosstab 120 andfiltering and navigation within the data. The overview system 20 mayprovide a different menu or an additional menu or menus. For example, asshown in FIG. 7, the overview system 20 may provide a context menu 134showing options for other interactions, e.g. sort, top/bottom rule, andcalculations. The context menu 134 may be invoked by, e.g., right-mouseclicking. The context menu 134 may be same as the menu available in thecrosstab 120.

The user may select an overview element 110 by clicking on an item ofthe overview element 110. A movable overview element may have a handle,e.g., a dotted area 136 in FIG. 7, to indicate that the user can selectand move the overview element.

The overview system 20 allows the user to perform nesting of items usingoverview elements in the overview area 100. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, the user can drag an item “Market” 140 from a list of dimensionsor items into the row information section 102 after the existingoverview element 110 labeled “Line”. After insertion, as shown in FIG.9, a new overview element 112 labeled “Market” is created in the rowinformation section 102 in the overview area 100, and the crosstab 120is changed in synchronization to nest the market rows in the line rows.In this example, the market rows are for Builders, Furniture, DepartmentRental and Home.

The overview system 20 also allows replacement of items in the overviewarea 100 by drag-and-drop actions. As shown in FIG. 10, an item Date 114highlighted in the columns may be replaced with item Department 116.

When one of the item sets in the crosstab 120 is filtered with anexpression, the overview system 20 decorates the corresponding overviewelement 110 with a filtering symbol 150 representing that it isfiltered, as shown in FIG. 11.

When the filtered row element 110 is moved to the context informationsection 106, the expression of the filter becomes a contextual filterthat changes the data in the entire crosstab 120 such that all data inthe crosstab 120 is filtered according to the expression. For example,as shown in FIG. 12, when the user moves overview element “Line” 110with a filter 150 from the row information section 102 to the contextinformation section 106, the filter 150 of the line is applied to theentire crosstab 120. The crosstab 120 now shows the Market categories asrows without nesting.

An item in the crosstab may consist of a list of items, instead of aparent category with its children categories as shown in the examplesabove. As shown in FIG. 13, the overview system 20 may add a term “list”160 to an overview element 112 in the overview area 100 that representsan item consists of a list of items.

As demonstrated above with examples, the overview system 20 maintains avisual synchronization between the overview area 100 and the crosstab120.

When there are too many overview elements in the rows, columns orcontext information sections 102, 104 and 106, the overview system 20provides the ability to scroll in the overview information section 102,104 or 106. The user can scroll the relevant information section 102,104 or 106 using, e.g., arrow buttons 170 as shown in FIG. 14.

In addition to having the filter icon in front of an overview elementlabel, the overview system 20 may show other icons to indicate what kindof functions are applied to that data set in the crosstab. Examples offunctions include sorting and calculations. The example below shows thesorting function.

When sorting is applied to an item of the crosstab 120, the overviewsystem 20 may indicate the application of the sorting using a set ofarrows 172 in the corresponding overview element 110, as shown in FIG.15.

Movable overview elements can be moved from one location in the overviewarea 100 to another, without the need to interact in the crosstab. Asshown in FIG. 16, item Market can be moved from the rows to columns inthe crosstab 120 by dragging the “Market” overview element or icon 112from the row information section 102 to the column information section104 in the overview area 100. The item being dragged may be representedby a ghosted element 118 near a mouse cursor 190.

The overview system 20 may also handle a case of a “union” in the rowaxis or the column axis. FIG. 16A shows an example of a crosstab 120having a union in the row axis. In this case, the overview system 20 mayrepresent the union by using a label “Combination” on the relevantoverview element 162 in the row information section 102. The overviewelement 162 may also be made movable. As shown in FIG. 16B, a dropdownmenu 164 for the combination overview element 162 may show two differentdata sets, Products and Locations, in this example. From this menu 164,the user may select a data set to open cascading menus 166 to delete ormodify the settings of the union of the selected data set, as shown inFIG. 16C. The cascading menus 166 typically show the same options asthose for overview elements that are not combined. The overview system20 may also provide overview elements representing a combination nestedwith another data set. FIG. 16D shows an example of an overview area fora crosstab 120 in which a combination Channels nested in the Products.The overview system 20 presents an overview element 168 labeled“Channels” next to the combination overview element 162 in the rowinformation section 102.

As shown in FIG. 17, the overview system 20 may keep the overview area100 visible when a chart 180 is shown in place of the crosstab. Showingthe overview area 100 for the chart 180 prevents the need to learnanother interaction model within the crosstab to change the datadefinition.

As exemplified above, the overview system 20 provides an overview areathat provides an overview of items that make up the structure of acrosstab or chart. The overview area is compact enough to be presentedtogether with the entire or a part of a crosstab or chart. Typically theoverview area has one line or a few lines of overview elements arrangedin multiple sections to represent the structure of the underlyingcrosstab or chart. The arrangement of overview elements may varydepending on the display design of the data analyzing system 10 withwhich the overview system 20 works. The overview system 20 provides adirect mapping between the selection in the overview area 100 and theselection in the crosstab or chart by synchronization in bothdirections.

FIG. 18 shows another example of an overview area 100. This exampleshows a link 202 to a property pane.

The overview system 20 may work with a properties pane manager 220 asshown in FIG. 19. Selecting the link 202 shown in FIG. 18 invokes theproperties pane manager 220. The properties pane manager 220 may be alsoinvoked from items in a worksheet or from a menu item at the top of theapplication.

The properties pane manager 220 provides a properties pane that showsproperties of a selected item in a worksheet, e.g., selections andconditions applied to the selected item. The properties pane provides aquick and clear overview of the functionality applied to the selecteditem.

The properties pane handler 220 allows users to manipulate theproperties of the item in the properties pane. This manipulation givesthe users an ability to fine-tune their queries to answer the correctbusiness questions.

The overview synchronizer 60 of the worksheet overview system 20 alsosynchronizes the properties pane handler 220. For example, when the userselects a data element in the worksheet overview system 20, theproperties pane of the selected data element is also synchronized. Theoverview synchronizer 60 maintains synchronization among the worksheet,overview area, and properties pane.

FIG. 20 shows an example of a properties pane 230. The user opens theproperties pane 230. When nothing is selected in the crosstab 120, theproperties applicable to the entire crosstab 120 are shown in theproperties pane 230.

The property pane 230 has a title bar 232 that reflects the name of thedimensional member associated with the selected item in the crosstab120, or in the absence of a selection, the title bar 232 reflects thename of the analysis and/or the report title assigned by the user.

In this example, the property pane 230 shows the current properties ofthe entire crosstab relating to a default measure, rows, columns contextand report options.

The default measure properties section indicates the currently selectedmeasure and how the values are shown. The default measure propertiessection provides users with the ability to change these selections. Whenthe user selects the current measure Revenue, a dropdown menu is openedto present a list of available measures, as shown in FIG. 21. When theuser selects the show values selection, a dropdown menu is opened topresent a list of available show values options, as shown in FIG. 22.

The rows properties section shows the name or names of the existing datasets in the rows of the crosstab. The user can click it, which willresult in the selection of that item and showing the properties of thatdata set.

The columns properties section is similar to the rows properties sectionand shows the name or names of the existing data sets in the columns ofthe crosstab. The user can click it, which will result in the selectionof that item and showing the properties of that data set.

The context properties section shows the filters that apply to the datavalues in the crosstab. If there is an expression, the contextproperties section shows the expression as full description. If thereare multiple expressions and filters, the context properties sectionenumerates the multiple expressions in a continuous line (which can wrapas well)

The report options properties section shows the default options from areport options setting dialog. The user can modify these options byclicking on an overview element and navigate into the report optionsdialog.

FIG. 23 shows another example of a properties pane 240 when a differenttype of item or object is selected within the crosstab 120, e.g. “Line”.The properties pane 240 has properties sections for display, definition,filter, context and sort.

The display properties section shows the properties that indicate whatsettings are set that influence the display of the selected data set.Some examples are shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. If the user wants to hide anitem (e.g. Stoves) in the data set in the crosstab, the “No hiddenitems” is changed into “Hidden Items (1)”, as shown in FIG. 26. The linefor the “Display” may not stay in the same location when the text islonger. It may wrap to the next line as shown in FIG. 27.

The “Definition” line provides a specific selection of how theexpression/definition for the selected data set will behave when thecrosstab changes.

The filter, context and sort properties sections are related to how the“query” is behaving.

In the filter properties section, as shown in FIG. 28, the user maychange “No top or bottom” to, e.g. “Top” and then, the user mayimmediately override the default value for the top 10 as shown in FIG.29. The user may change “No expression” into a specific expression. Whenthe user selects the edit overview element or the text itself, a dialogfor the filter expressions appears for the user to create or edit thefilter expression. Once the filter expression is created, the text inthe filter properties section is updated, as shown in FIG. 30.

After the user changed the value of a certain property, that value ishighlighted or bolded to indicate that the property value has beenchanged from its current setting. Changes to the properties is appliedwhen an OK or Apply button is selected. This allows a number of propertyvalues changes to be made collectively, and applied once. This is anadvantageous capability in a zero-footprint web application to minimizethe number of server roundtrips required.

FIG. 31 shows an example of the selection of a data set later in theanalysis process.

The data set “State” has a description of an expression filter forContext. This item fits in the properties pane. If an item has a longerdescription, the description is wrapped to a next text line so that thefull text for the description can be shown.

The sort properties section provides a means to show what kind of sortis applied to the selected item. The user can interact with it to changethe sort direction and on what can be sorted, as shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 33 shows an example of a properties pane for an individual category(member). FIG. 33 shows an example of a properties pane for a measure.FIG. 34 shows an example of a properties pane for an intersect value.FIG. 35 shows an example of a properties pane for a context filter. FIG.36 shows an example of a properties pane for another type of set thathas the properties of name, expression and definition. FIG. 37 shows anexample of a properties pane for an item that has properties of display,context and sort. FIG. 38 shows an example of a properties pane for anitem that has properties of display, filter, context and sort.

The properties pane manager 220 provides a properties pane for aselected item in the crosstab, with a text that is descriptive and easyto read to show what functions are applied to the selected item. Theproperties pane manager 220 provides the ability to interact with thisfunctionality directly, without the need to invoke the functionelsewhere. Because the text is descriptive and easy to read, businessusers can understand the fine-tuned applied functionality to elements ofa report. The properties pane manager 220 also provides an interactive“footnote” idea to a selected item. It is possible to modify multiplefunctions at once, without applying it to the crosstab immediately.Within a properties pane, the properties pane manager 220 provides theability to select another object available in the crosstab, and havealso the properties shown for that object. The properties pane manager220 can provide a combination of properties that is unique for aselected data set in a crosstab. The properties pane manager 220 allowswrapping of a long text in a properties pane. The properties panemanager 220 provides a properties pane that is a compact way to changesettings of a crosstab or element of a crosstab and functions. Theinteraction with the individual properties is a part of the text. Whenthe network connection is slow, it is useful for the end user to performmultiple actions in one submission, instead of having to submit eachindividual action. When the crosstab is large, there may also be aperformance hit, since rendering the crosstab takes some time for alarge crosstab. The properties pane manager 220 allows the user toperform multiple actions in one submission, which prevents a longwaiting time.

The worksheet overview system of the invention may be implemented by anyhardware, software or a combination of hardware and software having theabove described functions. The software code, instructions and/orstatements, either in its entirety or a part thereof, may be stored in acomputer readable memory. Further, a computer data signal representingthe software code, instructions and/or statements may be embedded in acarrier wave may be transmitted via a communication network. Such acomputer readable memory and a computer data signal and/or its carrierare also within the scope of the present invention, as well as thehardware, software and the combination thereof.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, changes and modifications may be made to such embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the invention. For example, theelements of the worksheet overview system are described separately,however, two or more elements may be provided as a single element, orone or more elements may be shared with other components in one or morecomputer systems.

1. A worksheet overview system comprising: an item information handlerfor obtaining item information relating to items of a worksheet; anoverview element handler for managing overview elements based on theitem information, each overview element representing item information ofa corresponding item of the worksheet; an overview area handler forproviding an overview area for containing the overview elements to makethe overview elements contained in the overview area accessible by auser; and an overview synchronizer for synchronizing between eachoverview element in the overview area and its corresponding item of theworksheet.
 2. The worksheet overview system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the overview element handler allows a user to create a newoverview element in the overview area, and manipulate, interact anddelete an existing overview element in the overview area.
 3. Theworksheet overview system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the worksheethas an item structure, according to which the items are grouped; and theoverview area handler provides multiple sections to represent the itemstructure of the worksheet.
 4. The worksheet overview system as claimedin claim 3, wherein the overview element handler presents an overviewelement in a respective section of the overview area depending on theitem that the overview element represents.
 5. The worksheet overviewsystem as claimed in claim 3, wherein the overview area handler providesin the overview area: a row information section for containing overviewelements representing items for rows of a crosstab; a column informationsection for containing overview elements representing items for columnsof the crosstab; and a context information section for containingoverview elements representing items relating context of the crosstab asa whole.
 6. The worksheet overview system as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe overview area handler provides the overview area adjacent to theworksheet and maintains the overview area visible to a user when atleast a part of the worksheet is displayed.
 7. The worksheet overviewsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the item information handler has:a row information handler for obtaining information relating to rows ina crosstab; a column information handler for obtaining informationrelating to columns in the crosstab; and a context information handlerfor obtaining information relating to context of the crosstab as awhole.
 8. The worksheet overview system as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe overview element handler presents a movable overview element that ismovable between different information sections in response to a useraction on the movable overview element.
 9. The worksheet overview systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein the overview element handler provides amenu on an overview element to present options available for an itemrepresented by the overview element.
 10. The worksheet overview systemas claimed in claim 9, wherein the overview element handler provides amenu including options for drilling up or down a hierarchy of itemsrelating to the item represented by the overview element, sorting itemsshown on the worksheet, and/or searching an item in the worksheet.
 11. Amethod of providing an overview of a worksheet, the method comprisingsteps of: obtaining item information relating to items of a worksheet;providing an overview area on a display; presenting one or more overviewelements in the overview area based on the item information, eachoverview element representing item information of a corresponding itemof the worksheet; and synchronizing between each overview element in theoverview area and its corresponding item of the worksheet.
 12. Themethod as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of allowing auser to create a new overview element in the overview area, andmanipulate, interact and delete an existing overview element in theoverview area.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein theoverview area providing step provides multiple sections to represent anitem structure of the worksheet, according to which the items aregrouped.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the overviewelement presenting step presents an overview element in a respectivesection of the overview area depending on the item that the overviewelement represents.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein theoverview area presenting step provides in the overview area: a rowinformation section for containing overview elements representing itemsfor rows of a crosstab; a column information section for containingoverview elements representing items for columns of the crosstab; and acontext information section for containing overview elementsrepresenting items relating context of the crosstab as a whole.
 16. Themethod as claimed in claim 11, wherein the overview area providing stepprovides the overview area adjacent to the worksheet and maintains theoverview area visible to a user when at least a part of the worksheet isdisplayed.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the iteminformation obtaining comprises: obtaining information relating to rowsin a crosstab; obtaining information relating to columns in thecrosstab; and obtaining information relating to context of the crosstabas a whole.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the overviewelement presenting comprises presenting a movable overview element thatis movable between different information sections in response to a useraction on the movable overview element.
 19. The method as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the overview element presenting comprises providing amenu on an overview element to present options available for an itemrepresented by the overview element.
 20. The method as claimed in claim19 further comprising allowing the user to select options for drillingup or down a hierarchy of items relating to the item represented by theoverview element, sorting items shown on the worksheet, and/or searchingan item in the worksheet.
 21. A computer readable medium storinginstructions and/or statements for use in the execution in a computer ofa method of providing an overview of a worksheet, the method comprising:obtaining item information relating to items of a worksheet; providingan overview area on a display; presenting one or more overview elementsin the overview area based on the item information, each overviewelement representing item information of a corresponding item of theworksheet; and synchronizing between each overview element in theoverview area and its corresponding item of the worksheet.
 22. Apropagated signal carrier containing computer executable instructionsand/or statements that can be read and executed by a computer, thecomputer executable instructions being used to execute a method ofproviding an overview of a worksheet, the method comprising: obtainingitem information relating to items of a worksheet; providing an overviewarea on a display; presenting one or more overview elements in theoverview area based on the item information, each overview elementrepresenting item information of a corresponding item of the worksheet;and synchronizing between each overview element in the overview area andits corresponding item of the worksheet.